Print Article
Sweepers, Samba, and Sugarloaf
A Brazilian Road Trip
The flight was long – 8 hours from Miami – and although it was a night flight, I was too excited about the upcoming tour to sleep well. Drowsy, I staggered from the plane. A morning brew of warm, humid air swamped my face. A curtain of gray clouds concealed the mountains of Rio de Janeiro.
Ricardo, a Brazilmoto employee, picks Christa and me up at the airport and safely steers the blue Land Rover through heavy city traffic. Small motorcycles pass, flitting by on our left and right, the riders in shorts and shirts masterfully maneuvering their 175cc bikes at high speed between the cars. Finally we arrive at the Ipanema Plaza Hotel, which is in the district of Ipanema, a very hip place to be in Rio. Today, a rest day, gives us time to settle in, explore some and let the jet lag melt away.
Rio de Janeiro
An hour later Christa and I are strolling along the beach promenade. The weather is clearing and we can spot blue patches widening in the white and gray clouds. The beach is almost empty except for a few expert surfers slicing the wild tide. A familiar smell tickles my nostrils. "It's coffee time," I say, pulling Christa into the next café. Strong, tasty espresso. I order another and open my guidebook.
Millions of tourists visit Rio de Janeiro every year. The first Westerner to enter Brazil was Amerigo Vespucci. The Italian contracted to sail for the Portuguese empire arrived in Rio on the first of January 1502, entering what he thought to be the mouth of a river, hence the name Rio de Janeiro or River of January. Vespucci's river in reality is a 147-square-mile bay, still known by its Indian name, Guanabara, "arm of the sea."
...
For the complete touring article, including facts & information and the map(s), click on the "Buy Article" button below.
Recommended Literature
